Extron Launches EQIP Program to Educate, Qualify Independent Programmers for Its Control Systems

Extron’s EQIP is a new program designed to provide additional configuration resources to customers deploying Extron control solutions. Extron Qualified Independent Programming (EQIP) companies are apparently carefully screened and selected by Extron to provide expert configuration support for Extron Control System projects — in a conference call I had with the company today, I was told that they even immerse the programmers in the Extron S3 (Service, Support & Solutions) philosophy as, for many users, this will be their primary personal interface with Extron.

The program is designed so that Extron customers and integrators may employ EQIP companies to augment their staff, execute projects, and provide options to configure more advanced AV systems. EQIP companies have access to a variety of Extron resources including web-based tools, continuing education, and control system training. This program is similar to those offered by AMX and Crestron in that they are designed to help customers find “qualified” programmers that can handle larger systems and they are vetted by each manufacturer for their quality, capabilities and training.As part of the EQIP qualification, Extron says that programmers will become ECP — Extron Control Professional-certified. ECP i designed to prepare individuals to successfully deploy and maintain customized AV control systems, configured with Extron’s Global Configurator Professional, and built around Extron’s recently-launched IP Link Pro Series and TouchLink Pro Series products.

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About Gary Kayye

Gary Kayye, founder of rAVe Publications, is one of the most prominent personalities in the audiovisual industry. He has been a contributor to WIRED magazine and a technical advisor and columnist for Sound & Communications magazine as well as an opinionated columnist for rAVe [Publications] since 2003. In addition to his writing and market analysis, Gary has been a product, marketing and business operations consultant to dozens of AV companies in the U.S. and overseas. Clients have included companies such as Sony, Sharp, Epson, Lutron, InFocus, Sanyo, Mitsubishi, NEC and Philips.
Gary, who has been involved with the audiovisual market for over 20 years, was the recipient of the InfoComm 2003 Educator of the Year Award and the 2007 NSCA Instructor of the Year Award. Over the years, he has donated much of his time as an active volunteer in the AV industry’s trade association and served as chairman of InfoComm’s Professional Education & Training Committee (PETC), chairman of the ICIA Design School Committee and chairman of InfoComm’s Installation School Committee. In addition, he has served on the InfoComm board of governors. He also helped grow the InfoComm Projection Shoot-Out as the premiere AV industry trade show special event serving on the committee from 1991 through 1997, and was instrumental in launching the Shoot-Out in the European market at the Photokina Expo in 1994 and 1996 as well as the Asian market at the 1995 and 1997 INFOCOMM Asia shows.
Prior to founding his own company, Gary was vice president of sales and marketing for AMX Corporation (www.amx.com), a manufacturer specializing in professional AV and residential AV control systems. Prior to AMX, Gary spent nine years at Extron Electronics (www.extron.com), rising to the position of vice president of sales and marketing.
Gary earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1987 from the University of North Carolina and is currently Adjunct Faculty at UNC in the School of Journalism teaching a class on how future technologies will affect the future of advertising, PR and marketing.
He is also the founder of Swim for Smiles, a non-profit that raises money for the N.C. Children’s Hospital through swimming and other fitness-related events for kids.
You can contact him at gary@ravepubs.com..